KHARKIV: Russian drone strikes wounded at least 36 people in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region overnight. This marks the third such attack on the eastern region in three days.
Moscow has intensified daily drone and missile barrages in recent months. These strikes primarily target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and civilian sites ahead of winter.
Kharkiv police confirmed the casualty figure from the latest attack. The assault damaged more than 10 apartment buildings, a school, a supermarket and an ambulance substation.
Two children aged nine and 13 were among the wounded. Doctors diagnosed both children with acute stress reactions, according to police.
Rescuers and police evacuated 48 people from a smoke-filled high-rise building entrance. Regional emergency services spokesperson Yevgen Vasylenko confirmed three children were among those rescued.
The entire country was under an air raid alert on Wednesday morning. Authorities in several western cities issued urgent warnings to residents.
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy warned residents about drone attacks targeting western Ukraine. He urged people to stay in shelters and maintain “informational silence” by not publishing photos or videos.
Ukraine’s energy ministry reported emergency power outages in multiple regions due to Russian attacks. Moscow launched its largest bombing campaign against Ukrainian gas facilities since the 2022 invasion began.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently on a European tour seeking support. He aims to secure assistance for his army and energy infrastructure ahead of another difficult winter.
Exhausted Ukrainian troops continue struggling against the larger Russian army. Russian forces claimed two more villages on Tuesday as they advance on the eastern front.
